Lyn has been volunteering with The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre for around three years and was first introduced to us when her late husband was a visitor.
“He found the Centre so beneficial,” she says. “For all our visitors, I think coming here gives them the chance feel normal and not alone for a little while. Having access to different therapies is also really beneficial and it’s so kind of the therapists to give up their time for free.”
Lyn adds: “As a volunteer, I really enjoy chatting to people and get energy from that myself.”
It was a Monday when we spoke to Lyn and, interestingly, she said that the support Pickering provides is perhaps most important on the first day of the week.
“If somebody lives alone, then spending the weekend on their own can feel really hard,” she explains. “It’s that human connection which can really make a difference, so having somewhere to go on a Monday is vital. Pickering is like a warm, welcoming hug.”